Category: Magazine

Children’s ministry volunteers are called upon to wear unique costumes. I’ve dressed as a mad scientist, superhero and a construction barrel. Yes, a construction barrel. I had to get in touch with my inner highway barricade. Continue reading “Volunteers and Fruit Hats”

Last month, I got to spend spring break in Florida with my wife and daughter. Each time I’ve gone down for spring break, palm branches would be on my mind. For a kid from Indiana, they are exotic. But in Florida, they are as common as Indiana maple leaves.

When something is common to us, it loses its meaning. To the disciples, that Sunday when Jesus entered Jerusalem could have been just another amazing day with their teacher. They had three years of amazing days. It may have felt common. But soon, they would realize how amazing that event was. In less than a week, the crowd would turn on the one they praised with “Hosannas.”

Each day, when I go to my inbox, I have one or two offers for an amazing webinar about this marketing technique or that book publishing deal. It appears there is never a lack of any advice on any subject, whether you want it or not!

When I drew this cartoon, I thought of the many webinars I have been convinced to join. They are a good way to get some information without the travel. A webinar is only as good as the presenter. I thought of the great teachers in my life that could have reached a wider audience if webinars were around thirty years ago.

My hope is that in every Sunday school, across the country, kids think the lesson is so good, that they think a webinar should be made out of it. Admittedly, no student has come up to me and made that suggestion. But when they do, I am ready to make the best use of Facebook Live.

I have to brag on my wife. She is a children’s pastor and very big on equipping her volunteers. The other week, she had a training for her volunteers. It didn’t involve push-ups or burpees. Instead, it focused on relationships and building connections with parents as well as children.

One of the scariest situations anyone ever faces is when they enter a new situation without any training or preparation. It is much better to put in the sweat and prepare yourself for any situation. One of the most important tasks anyone can do is work with children. I am so appreciative of the teachers and volunteers that put in the effort every day to be the best at reaching kids.

Every year, in the spring, I notice it. The kids that used to be so enthusiastic in their singing start to stand or sit in stone silence. Fourth and fifth-grade boys are the hardest. They start to be very aware of others and have no desire to do anything “uncool.” Continue reading “When Can I Clap?”